Panama City – Contadora – San Miguel

On April 18, 1990 at 12:00 AM, Panama City – Contadora – San Miguel experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Aeroperlas, with the event recorded near Contadora Island Panamá.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

22 people were known to be on board, 20 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 90.9%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 19, passenger fatalities: 17, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is other causes. After takeoff from Contadora Island Airport, while climbing, the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. Some birds struck the right engine that failed. The aircraft lost speed then rolled to the right and crashed in the sea some 1,500 meters offshore. Two passengers were rescued while 20 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N187SA, MSN 131, year of manufacture 1968.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 8.6269°, -79.0370°.